Blog

 

Welcome to our blog. Staff at the Tenants' Union and occasional guests offer their commentary and analysis of our renting system. We hope to inform, educate and debate the legal, political and cultural aspects of this renting life. For an official quote for media use, or questions regarding our research, policy or publications please contact us. For more articles see the Brown Couch archive, the Clearing House, and general news.  For factsheets see Tenancy info.

 

Leo Patterson Ross | 01/11/2021

End of fixed term evictions are unfair 'no grounds' evictions: Part 2

End of fixed term without a reason eviction is still without a reason. We explore different kinds of eviction and the best ways to understand them in this second part!
Read more
Jemima Mowbray | 01/11/2021

End of fixed term evictions are unfair ‘no grounds’ evictions: Part 1

If you’ve been following the news about recent reforms to Queensland tenancy laws lately you’d be forgiven for thinking there had been a big win for renters we’d somehow missed or forgotten to…
Read more
Robert Mowbray | 30/09/2021

Older women facing homelessness in Australia: from awareness to action

On Friday, 17 September 2021 HAAG organised the online forum, ‘At Risk 2021 Forum’, hoping to move us on from an acknowledgement of the problem of older women and homelessness to real action to…
Read more
Lehana De Silva | 27/09/2021

Can an owners corporation legally mandate vaccination in a strata community?

Recently, a residential complex in Sydney informed residents it would be requiring that all persons entering the building must be vaccinated, which raises the question can an owners corporation…
Read more
Paul van Reyk | 14/09/2021

The high risks faced by international student renters in Australia.

International students in Australia make a huge contribution to the economy and the community. They also face serious struggles and hardships. Finding and keeping rental accommodation is one of…
Read more
Robert Mowbray | 12/08/2021

The tale of Alan and Annie: living in affordable housing and retiring from paid work

‘What happens to an affordable housing tenant when they retire? Will they be forced to move?’ The Tenants' Union of NSW isn't sure of the answer to this question. So, Robert Mowbray…
Read more
Leo Patterson Ross | 24/07/2021

Vale John Mant – supporter of TAAS

VALE JOHN MANT, 1936-2021: The tenants of New South Wales owe a big thankyou to John Mant who died on 10 July, aged 84. He left a legacy still in the making, especially in the field of urban…
Read more
Jemima Mowbray | 19/07/2021

Lockdown safety net: our analysis

This week NSW heads into a tougher lockdown. For many renting households, especially renters who are casual workers, this is going to have a significant impact on their income and ability to…
Read more
Sally Latter | 06/07/2021

Call for systemic change amid Northern Rivers housing crisis

The Northern Rivers region is beset by soaring rental prices, social housing issues, a crisis of housing instability and homelessness. In this article Sally Latter, Coordinator of the Northern…
Read more
Riley Brooke | 05/07/2021

Fees to pay rent? Third party rent payment services: an explainer

There’s been a little bit of buzz lately around third party rent payment services, especially across social media. So, what exactly are these services, and are they a good idea?

…
Read more
Riley Brooke | 17/06/2021

Renters deserve warm homes in winter

Like many Sydneysiders who rent, I live in an apartment that, in winter, is perpetually flippin’ freezing. Here in NSW, property investors aren't required to implement basic measures that…
Read more
Leo Patterson Ross | 11/06/2021

TICA charging you for access? No more!

Did you know it is unlawful for tenant databases to charge you for access to the information they hold on you? If you have paid for access to a tenant database in the last year, read this!
Read more